25 May 2020|Noida | Amity University, Noida
Webinar on COVID Impact on International Logistics
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In a webinar on “Covid impact on international logistics”, Mr. Sushil Mulchandani, CEO - J M Baxi & Co shared how logistics is one of the most important sectors worldwide for trade to move. He shared about the impact of COVID on coal imports, crude oil imports and seafood imports. “The whole coal requirement has gone down and ships are waiting because of the lockdown. In sea food exports, where India is one of the largest sea food exporter in the globe, with the restaurants closed, lot of sea food is locked up in containers and stranded on ports across the globe,” shared Mr. Mulchandani. He further averred how fertilizer imports, Chemicals in Pharma and Steel Exports wasn’t affected and didn’t face many challenges because of COVID-19.
He further shared his views on international logistics where first mile and last mile connectivity plays an integral role in cost controls and how COVID-19 scenario has hampered the last mile connectivity the most. Number of people, small trucks etc are not available creating a cascading effect on the whole logistics supply chain. Mr. Mulchandani gave detailed insights on the ports sector with cargo volumes at major ports slipping 21% to 47 million tonnes in April; Chennai and JNPT getting severely hit. In the shipping sector with more capacity and lesser freights, ships are being used as storage for crude oil. He also shared how ship owners are scrapping their old ships during this time to earn some money. “There will be changing trade dynamics with role of China & US still making an impact. Also, essential goods will drive the logistics sector which in turn will drive the economy,” said Mr. Mulchandani.
A webinar on ‘Gender Equality Can Increase Belongingness of Men and Women was conducted by Kathryn L. Braun, DrPH, Professor of Public Health and Social Work - University of Hawaii, Office of Public Health studies. She shared how half of her students and faculty were females and how Gender equality means human rights for all. Talking about belongingness she shared how it is the heart of our needs. “People who belong are productive, have better health outcomes, care for other people in their communities and have happy and healthy families,” shared Dr. Braun. She averred how gender equality increases belongingness of women and in countries with greater gender equality marriages are happier, women are healthier and how gender equality also increases belongingness for men adding to their health and longevity. Gender equality also reduces adverse childhood events and also benefits the country with economy is more prosperous making it an integral part of sustainable development goals.
“Women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world. We should achieve gender equality and empower women and girls,” shared Dr. Braun. She also shared a number of segments where India could work to bring gender equality including increasing their number in higher education and increase their representation in politics etc.
A virtual panel discussion on ‘Upcoming Trends, Approaches and Career Opportunities’ was conducted by Mr. Rathin Sharma, Sales & Strategy Manager, Interview Bit; Mr. Jaspal Godhara, Founder & CEO, Prayas Foundation (NGO); Mr. Shubham Mahajan, Asst. Professor, MIET, Jammu and Mr. Prabhat Sharma, Analyst- Commercial & Federal Strategy, Right Solutions
Mr. Rathin Sharma, Sales & Strategy Manager, Interview Bit said that when one is into creating a business, they have to understand the mission and vision of the company. “The coronavirus has had diverse effects on different sectors. Technology companies are booming where as many other companies have moved online. Before Covid 19 nobody had given much thought about online teaching especially due to mandatory 75% attendance system. But now many new things are coming up. There are negative effects in sector like travel, aviation etc. We have to make our professionals future ready for jobs and should focus on imparting practical knowledge, said Mr. Sharma who also laid stress on internship as interaction with an experienced team during the internship helps in gaining knowledge. He also advised the students to have the right growth with right mind set, keep learning and to choose a career and not a job.
Mr. Prabhat Sharma, Analyst- Commercial & Federal Strategy, Right Solutions said that this pandemic is making us grow with new learning and new technology. “Technology is changing every second but with this curriculum cannot change at the same pace,” said Mr Sharma. He suggested students to analysis their interests and be proactive.